Shakib best option for Bangladesh: Mehidy 

Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz believes that Shakib Al Hasan is the best option for them as the captain of the Test side.

Mehidy is set to make a comeback to the field after he sustained an injury on his bowling hand in April. His return will be under the newly-appointed Shakib, with Liton Das acting as his deputy.

Bangladesh Cricket Board President, Nazmul Hassan, said they had three contenders initially to replace former skipper Mominul Haque, and rumours say that the third option was Mehidy.

Mehidy, on the other hand, brushed off the speculations and asserted that Shakib is the best option regardless of whoever stands as a contender for captaincy.

“When Shakib bhai is there, how can you consider me?” he said on Friday.

“Shakib bhai has led Bangladesh for a long time. He is an experienced player. At this moment, I think Shakib bhai is the best considering our team’s situation,” he said on Shakib being made captain.

Mehidy said that his focus is on performing for the team and that he was not thinking about the captaincy.

“I am not concerned about the captaincy. My name might’ve been there, but my thoughts are on how to perform and take my team forward. The captaincy never came across my mind,” he said.

As the third-highest wicket-taker in Tests for Bangladesh, Mehidy is a regular starter as a frontline off-spinner, but his recent exploits with the bat have made him a valuable asset.

Mehidy revealed that he has been working on his batting, and it has delivered the goods for him in recent times.

“Batting is important to me. It’s even more important for the team. In my position, a 50 or a 100-run partnership can cause a big shift in the match. I have been working on my batting with the coach. I’ve worked on improving the small details which might’ve worked for me,” he said.